The ACER UMAT Test is made up of 3 parts:
- UMAT SECTION 1: Logical reasoning
- UMAT SECTION 2: Interpersonal communication & Emotional intelligence
- UMAT SECTION 3: Visual Spatial IQ Test [mathematical, logically or rationally]
First of all I'd like to say that I can't help much on UMAT SECTION 3 on this blog. I could scan my IQ visual book but that would infringe copyright material. My suggestion is to purchase a Visual Spatial IQ test book from your local bookstore! Doesn't cost that much and it should come with answers and explanations. Otherwise if you rather, sign up for a online prep course that supplies real good Section 3 material.
Success in Logical Reasoning depends on knowing the structure of arguments that you may break an argument down into its components. First of all, let’s clarify what’s meant by the word argument. We don’t mean a conversation in which two or more people are shouting at one another. No, the word argument in Logical Reasoning means any piece of text where an author puts forth a set of ideas and/or a point of view, and attempts to support it. Generally all logical reasoning stimulus – that is, every argument – is made up of two basic parts:
• The conclusion (the point that the author is trying to make)
• The evidence (the support that the author offers for the conclusion)
The ability to identify parts in the argument will determine your success on UMAT Section 1. There is no general rule about where conclusion and evidence appear in the argument – the conclusion could be the first sentence, followed by the evidence, or else it could be the last sentence, with the evidence preceding it, or any sentence in between. Consider the following short stimulus:
The Sydney State Library will require extensive physical rehabilitation to meet new building safety hazard conducts deem necessary meeting current construction service regulations. For one thing, the electrical wiring system has proven inadequate; flickering of lights occur sporadically. In addition, the emergency exits are lacking in numbers, and even those poorly marked and locked.
Let's suppose you were only allowed one sentence to convey the meaning. Would you use it on the statement: "The electrical wiring system at the Sydney State Library is inadequate, flickering of lights occur sporadically"? I believe it would have to be the first sentence that the Sydney State Library will require extensive physical rehabilitation. That is the conclusion. The support/evidence would be the mention of electrical wiring problems of the building.
What about: "The electrical system at the Sydney State Library is inadequate"
[ANSWER IS IN THE COMMENT SECTION]
Thanks for reading. We're getting into the basics of UMAT Section 1. We'll cover more details in the upcoming post. Until then, stay fit. :)
READ THE CONTINUATION: UMAT SECTION 1: THE BASICS OF BASIC
It is true but it is not the conclusion for the argument nevertheless. So therefore, scrutinize & evaluate the context of the stimulus. Very important. Many students read something similar or reasonable to the answer and make an educational, more like an estimated guess. The test makers know that students do that - and they are identifying the ones that don't fall for such.